omni? ots 



Beckley- Cardy Company 

7\iA/isAer& CAicayro 



,CA' 

CHARACTERS 


Walter Hardcash . Proprietor of a large business 

Mary Douglas ... His stenographer 

Mr. Foster . An old employee 

Mr. Barker . Holds an important 

position in Hardcash’s employ 

Teddy 0 ’Brien .. Newsboy 

Mrs. Janet Black. .. .Scrubwoman, widow of Raymond 
Black, soldier and former porter for Hardcash 

Perkins . The Butler 

Christmas Spirit 
Cook and Servants 

Mrs. Effie Douglas . Mary’s mother 

Frank Bent . Young employee of Hardcash, 

Mary’s intended 


Cameron. 

Mrs. Cameron 
Fred Holmes. 
Mrs. Holmes . 
Miss Allen. .. 
Muriel ^ 
Walter J 
Mrs. 0 ’Brien . 





. The gardener 

. His wife 

Nephew of Hardcash 

. Fred’s wife 

. .Mrs. Holmes’ sister 

. Fred’s children 

. Teddy’s mother 


Time : Nearly Christmas 
Place: Anywhere or Everywhere 
Time of Playing : One and One-Half Hours 


'‘Copyright, 1922, by Beckley-Cardy Company 
Printed in the United States of America 

©ci.d 63151 DEC26 *22 



















THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 

ACT I 

Scene: Office of Walter Hardcash, furnished with 
desk, chair, chair for stenographer, calendars'on 
wall. 

Mr. Hardcash. Well, here it is Christmas again—such 
a nuisance! Everyone crazy with excitement—every¬ 
body wanting holidays and expecting Christmas pres^ 
ents. Well, my staff know well enough not to expect 
anything. Rubbish! Now I must answer Fred’s let¬ 
ter, I suppose. [ Touches hell.] [Enter Mary Doug¬ 
las.] I want you to take a letter, Miss Douglas. 

Mary Douglas. All right, Mr. Hardcash. [Sits in 
extra chair, notebook in hand.] 

Mr. Hardcash [dictates]. To Mr. Frederick J. Holmes, 
563 East Twenty-third street, City. Dear Fred: 
Your usual invitation to Christmas dinner to hand 
and as usual I decline. I don’t know what in thunder 
you keep on asking me for. I never came and I 
never intend to come, so kindly discontinue the invi¬ 
tation. You gain nothing by it. 

Mary Douglas [looking up]. Oh-h-h! 

Mr. Hardcash. What’s the matter ? Think I should n’t 
say that, I suppose. Just because you’ve been here 
half a dozen years you think you can say what you 
like. 


3 









4 THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 

Mary Douglas [half crying]. Oh Mr. Hardcash! I 
didn’t say anything. 

Mr. Hardcash. Well, if yon didn’t, you looked it. If 
I can’t say what I like to my own nephew when he 
insists on inviting me to his shabby house— 

Mary Douglas [rising hurriedly]. More shame to you, 
sir, if it is shabby and you so rich and he such a 
nice young man and having such a nice wife! If 
they are poor, they ’re happy, and I won’t write your 
letter, so there! [Stamps.] You ’re a cross old thing, 
there! [Stamps.] And I’m going to leave, you ’re 
so mean to us all and no one can bear you! There! 
[Bursts out crying and runs out.] 

Mr. Hardcash [staring in amazement and getting 
crosser every moment, hut unable to get a word in]. 
Good Heavens! What’s this ? What do you mean ? 
The hussy! The idea! [Keeps pressing bell and mut¬ 
tering.] Voices outside: c 1 There, there, Mary, don’t 
cry!” “You’d better answer his bell, Miss Doug¬ 
las.” “I won’t, if he rings all night.” “Oh, well.” 
[Door opens. Enter Mr. Foster.] 

Mr. Hardcash. What does this mean, Foster? Why 
am I defied and ignored in my own office? See that 
that girl packs herself off at once. What does it 
mean? 

Mr. Foster [deferentially] . I’m very sorry, Mr. Hard¬ 
cash. Miss Douglas was quite upset. 

Mr. Hardcash. Upset! I should think so. Have you any 
idea what has caused it ? I never had such an experi¬ 
ence in my office. What’s the matter with the girl? 

Mr. Foster [hesitating]. Well, you see, sir, it was this 
way—you see—well—you see— 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


5 


Mr. Hardcash [pounding desk] . Stop your shilly¬ 
shallying and out with it! 

Mr. Foster [desperately]. Well, you see, sir, she and 
young Bent have been engaged to be married for a 
couple of years and they planned to get married this 
New Year’s day, expecting the usual raise of salary 
at Christmas, and your decision yesterday to raise 
no salaries this year has spoiled their plans. Miss 
Douglas is of course very unhappy— 

Mr. Hardcash [snarling]. And helps matters out by 
throwing up her job! 

Mr. Foster [hastily]. Oh sir, I hope you’ll forgive 
her hastiness—she could never afford to lose her work, 
I’m sure—and— [hesitates and speaks in a dignified 
but respectful way]. If you could see your way to 
give Bent his raise, the rest of the staff would, I’m 
sure, be willing to let it go at that. [Enter Mr. 
Barker. ] 

Mr. Barker. Excuse me, Mr. Foster, I was waiting to 
speak to Mr. Hardcash and I couldn’t help over¬ 
hearing your, last words. I want to say right here 
to you, Mr. Hardcash, that I’m not willing to put 
up with any more of your treatment and I’m going 
to give you a piece of my mind. 

Mr. Hardcash [arising]. Do you imagine—' 

Mr. Barker [sternly]. No, I know! Sit down! You’ve 
got to listen to me and you can’t help yourself. I’m 
dismissing myself from your employment because I’m 
sick and tired of working for a slave-driver and, 
for once in your life, you ’re going to hear the 
truth. 

IJr. Foster. Now —now—Mr. Barker— 


6 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


Mr. Barker. Shut up, Foster! You’re the first one 
I’m going to speak about. [Points to Mr. Foster.] 
Look at that man, Mr. Hardcash, grown old and gray 
in your firm’s service. In your father’s time he 
would have had a pension and a chance to live the 
quiet country life he loves. But you do away with 
the pension and he has no choice but to work along 
until he drops. Look at old Cameron, your gardener 
—crippled with rheumatism and ruined by doctors’ 
bills for his sick wife. You wouldn’t give him a 
chance at all to keep him out of the poor house. Look 
at this fine young Bent, here. If Mr. Foster could 
afford to retire, Bent naturally would succeed to his 
position and have some prospect of happiness. [Both 
men keep trying to interrupt but Mr. Barker goes 
steadily on.] And that nice girl who has been your 
stenographer for six years—and a rotten salary 
you’ve paid her! Her little preparations are made 
for her marriage and you refuse Bent the raise that 
you promised and that is his by right. [Mr. Hard¬ 
cash , raging, starts up.] Sit down! You keep quiet, 
Foster. That fine young nephew, your only living 
relative, he is worth ten of you and is' struggling 
along with his small salary and his nice family and 
you do nothing for him—but that’s none of my busi¬ 
ness. 

Mr. Hardcash [sarcastically] . No! Isn’t it? I’m 
surprised! 

Mr. Barker. No, it isn’t, but this business is my busi¬ 
ness until I leave it, and I say you ’re a rotten em¬ 
ployer. You could bind these people to you and 
your business by ties of loyalty— 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


7 


Mr. Hardcash. Want me to kiss them good night? 

Mr. Barker. Yon wouldn’t need to do that. If you 
were half-way decent it would do. Now I’m resigning 
right here and now. 

Mr. Hardcash [sarcastically]. So considerate of you. 

Mr. Barker. I’m going to Grant & Bailey, your rivals, 
Mr. Hardcash, and if I can’t carry a good bit of 
business with me— 

Mr. Hardcash. Look here, Barker, you can’t do that. 

Mr. Barker. Can’t I? * Watch me! They’re going 
to pay me double the salary you do and they are fine 
people to work for and I’m going to work for them. 
I bid you good-bye, sir, with a thankful heart. [Goes 
out.] 

Mr. Hardcash [wipes his forehead]. Whew! What a 
vicious fellow! I suppose we can fill his place, Foster ? 

Mr. Foster. I don’t know, sir. He’s a smart fellow 
and good hearted, too. He was much upset by Miss 
Douglas. I don’t know where you’d &et anyone to 
take the position unless you increased the salary. 

Mr. Hardcash. Increased the salary! Good heavens, 
Foster, you fellows seem to think I’m made of money. 
[Walks up and down impatiently, grabs coat -and hat.] 
I’m going now. See that that letter is sent off. If 
that little fool doesn’t do it, see that someone else 
does. Good heavens, what’s that? [Voices in outer 
office: “Paper, sir?” “Paper, Evening Times!” 
* 1 Hush-sh! ’ ’ Door opens. Teddy comes in, ragged, 
cold, papers under arm.] 

Teddy. Paper, sir ? 

Mr. Hardcash. No ! Get out! [Mr. Foster gives coin 


8 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


and takes paper, smiling at Teddy, who touches cap 
and says, “Thank you, sir.”] 

Mb. Hardcash [sarcastically]. So you can afford to 
give a quarter for a penny paper, can you? 

Mr. Foster [gently]. He’s a bright little fellow, sir, 
and it’s Christmas time— 

Mr. Hardcash. Yah-h-h—Christmas times are an ex¬ 
cuse for all sorts of extravagance. [Puts on coat 
and hat , Mr. Foster helping him. Bumps heard out¬ 
side and on door.] 

Enter Mrs. Black with scrub-pail, brush amd cloths. 

Mrs. Black. Oh, beg your pardon, sir—it’s so late 
I thought ’course you’d gone. [Backs out, mumbling 
apologies.] 

Mr. Hardcash. Who on earth? 

Mr. Foster. Just the scrub woman, sir—a decent body 
—widow of Raymond Black— 

Mr. Hardcash. That porter fellow killed in the war? 

Mr. Foster. Not killed, sir, came home unwounded 
and died of pneumonia just a month after reaching 
home. No pension for poor Janet, so she has to do 
what she can, poor thing. Good night, sir, good 
night. ' [Exit Mr. Hardcash.] 

Mr. Foster. Dear, dear, if only he was like his poor 
father! Then there was his sister, Mrs. Holmes. She 
was more like him and she died, poor thing, before 
Mr. Hardcash got rich. And that fine fellow, Fred, 
he could do so much for Fred. Well, money isn’t 
everything. I ’ll bet there isn’t a more unhappy 
wretch in this town tonight than that same man, 
money and all. [Exit.] 

CURTAIN 


ACT II 


Scene: Mr. Hard cash's Library. Any simple 

library scene. It may be elaborate, of course, if 
possible. Necessities: Table with telephone—chairs 
for Mr. Hardcash and Mr. Barker— entrance be- 
hind chair for Christmas Spirit — portieres to be 
withdrawn to show scenes to Mr. Hardcash and 
audience. Mr. Hardcash should be sitting at one 
side so that portiere scene should be right in line 
with the audience. 

Mr. Hardcash [enters and drops wearily in chair, 
head on hand]. Oh dear! I must be getting 1 old. 
Such scenes are too much for me. I don’t know what 
we ’re coming to. That girl breaking out at me like 
that—and Barker—I don’t want to lose Barker. He’s 
a smart fellow and he’s popular. He ’ll carry a 
bunch of trade with him. Blame this Christmas busi¬ 
ness! It sets them crazy. And I’ll have to break in 
a new secretary and that little Douglas hussy knew 
all my business. She looked like Effie Bridham when 
she stamped and raged. That’s how Effie looked 
when I foreclosed Hi Smith’s mortgage. I would 
have married Effie. Perhaps if I had I might 
have been a different man. Well—I bet she’s been 
sorry—she’d have been rich—rich— [ says the word 

over and over, rubbing hands ] —rich—rich. [Knock 
at door.] 

Mr. Hardcash. Come in. [Enter butler.] Well, Per¬ 
kins? 

Perkins [diffidently]. I just wished to ask, sir, if it 

9 


10 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


will be all right to allow the maids and men of the 
house to have tomorrow evening free? 

Mr. Hardcash. Tomorrow evening? Why! Haven’t 
they had their usual evening off? 

Perkins. Yes, sir, yes, sir, to be sure, but it being 
Christmas Eve and all— 

Mr. Hardcash. Christmas Eve! I’m sick of hearing 
of Christmas Eve! Why should they neglect their 
duty on Christmas Eve? 

Perkins. Well, sir, their families and their young 
friends— 

Mr. Hardcash [harshly]. I have nothing to do with 
“their families and their young friends.” I hire 
them. for certain hours and certain duties and I ex¬ 
pect them to be on hand. 

Perkins. But, sir— 

Mr. Hardcash. No more now, Perkins. That will do. 

[Perkins sadly retires, Mr. Hardcash frowning and 
tapping fingers on table. Christmas Spirit enters 
and stands beside his chair, a little back. Mr. 
Hardcash, uneasy, shifts position, looks up and 
down, scowls and finally, slowly looks around — 
amazed at sight of Christmas Spirit.] 

Mr. Hardcash [ frightened ]. Who are you*l 

Christmas Spirit [solemnly] . I am the Spirit of 
Christmas. Hard, cold, unhappy man, I am here to 
teach you something of that season you desecrate by 
your heartless rejection of everything that makes for 
peace and happiness. 

Mr. Hardcash. The Christmas Spirit—this is a dream. 
I shall wake up presently— [draws hand across eyes, 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


11 


looks away, looks back to find Christmas Spirit still 
there, and speaks in a trembling voice ]—Why are 
you here? This is no place for the Spirit of Christ¬ 
mas. 

Christmas Spirit. That I know well, but you, wretched 
man, must learn the lesson that I teach. I shall show 
you those whom you despise and oppress, who yet are 
happier than you, their slave-driver. [As Christmas 
Spirit speaks curtains roll back, showing room or hall 
with maids and men gathered about Perkins. They 
have on wraps and are carrying suitcases and bags.] 

Mr. Hardcash [leans forward]. What’s this, what’s 
this? 

Christmas Spirit. I show you your own household as 
it will be tomorrow. 

Cook and others in scene. 11 Come on, Perkins, come 
with us, let the old crab look out for himself.” 

Perkins. 4 4 No, no. I’ve been here a long time. I 
can’t leave Mr. Hardcash. I don’t blame you young 
people, but I’m sorry—” 

All [trooping out]. “Well, good-bye, Perkins. Sorry 
you won’t come.” 

Perkins. Good-bye, good-bye! [As he is left alone.] 
Too bad, too bad! They are a fine lot, but they hate 
the master. 

Mr. Hardcash. Here, here, Perkins! Don’t let those 
people go! [Perkins does not hear and curtains 
close.] 

Christmas Spirit. [Mr. Hardcash starts and turns as 
Christmas Spirit speaks.] You see how you have 
driven all your servants from you by intolerance and 
• unkindness. 


12 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


Mr. Hardcash. But I can’t have my servants leave me 
like this. I must get Perkins. [Starts up.] 
Christmas Spirit. You will remain where you are. You 
have much to see and learn. 

[This scene could be handled in several ways. As 
written it calls for a central curtained opening at 
the back of the stage, where the successive scenes 
could be framed. If this arrangement is not attain¬ 
able, Mr. Hardcash might be made to appear to 
sleep and the different groups, at the wave of the 
hand of the Christmas Spirit, could enter, stand 
and retreat, after enacting their several parts. If 
however, the scene is carried out as written, the 
scene with the servants would require no furniture 
at all; that of the poor homes could be rough and 
scant; for the Douglas home the same pieces could 
be used draped, or the chairs and decorations 
changed in a moment. The dialogue is short, but 
affords ample time to make the slight necessary 
changes.] 

[Curtains draw back and show sitting room in Doug¬ 
las home —Mrs. Douglas and Mary seated, sewing. 
Mary has been crying.] 

Mrs. Douglas [tenderly]. There, dearie, don’t cry any 
more. “Fret not thyself because of evil doers.” You 
should not have spoken so to your employer, but Mr. 
Hardcash was always a hard man— 

Mary. Why, mother, did you ever know him? 

Mrs. Douglas. Yes, dear, I didn’t tell you. You ’ve 
gotten along fairly well with him, though he didn’t 
pay you as he should. 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


13 


Mary. But how did yon know him? 

[Mr. Hardcash shows surprise and agitation.] 

Mrs. Douglas. When I was a girl, dear, he lived in 
Patchogue near us and he wanted me to marry him. 
I liked him, too, but he was hard and sharp then 
and I couldn’t marry him. After he went away, 
I met and loved your father. If he’d been a dif¬ 
ferent man— 

Mary. Why, mother, you’d have been rich! 

Mrs. Douglas. I ’ve had something better, dear. I’ve 
had love and faith and courage. Riches are not 
everything. 

Mary [sadly]. They are a good deal, mother. Now 
Frank and I can’t get married. 

Mrs. Douglas. Yes, you can, dear. I have faith to 
believe it will come out right. I think I hear Frank. 

[Mary gets up and hurries out of room. Mrs. Doug¬ 
las sighs and turns full face to Mr. Hardcash.] 

Mr. Hardcash [starts up with outstretched hands]. 
Effie, Effie! [Mrs. Douglas makes no sign and Mr. 
Hardcash sinks hack. Mary and Frank Bent enter 
scene. Mrs. Douglas looks up, Frank lays hand on 
her shoulder.] 

Frank. Well, mother, we’ve made up our minds. I ’m 
resigning from Hardcash & Co. I’m going with 
Barker. 

Mrs. Douglas [gently]. But, son, you are so thor¬ 
oughly acquainted with the business, won’t you be 
missed ? 

Frank. I hope so. I like the work and am thoroughly 
conversant with it, but Mr. Hardcash does n’t make it 


14 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


worth one’s while and I am going with Barker. [Cur¬ 
tains close. ] 

* 

Mr. Hardcash [starting up]. Stop them! Stop them! 
I want to speak to Bent and Effie. 

Christmas Spirit [coldly]. They do not need you. 
You could have had their loyalty and affection— 

Mr. Hardcash [buries face in hands]. But Effie— 
Effie’s daughter—I loved Effie. [Remains quiet for a 
long time. Christmas Spirit watches him intently 
and then speaks.] [Time for change of scene.] 

Christmas Spirit. She loved a better man. 

Mr. Hardcash. I know, I know. [Curtain unrolls.] 

Christmas Spirit. Look at these. 

[A poor room is shown in which two old people sit 
side by side, hand in hand. They are Cameron, 
the gardener, and his Wife.] 

Wife. I wouldn’t mind the poorhouse, dearie, if we 
could be together. 

Cameron. That’s the worst of it. If only we could be 
together. We’ve had many years together—more 
than most—we should be thankful, I suppose— [Wife 
begins to cry. Curtains close.] 

Christmas Spirit. That man served you for years for 
a pittance and you turn him off as soon as he be¬ 
came crippled with rheumatism. 

Mr. Hardcash. I didn’t know, I didn’t know. 

Christmas Spirit. You should have known. Your 
wealth gave you power to help all these. All we have 
in this world is given by God to us for those about us, 
whether it be genius or talent or efficiency or only 
money. 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


15 


Mr. Hardcash. Only money—I should have thought— 
Christmas Spirit. You would have thought that the 
most important. That has been your mistake. Money 
is the least of all good things. Used for the advance¬ 
ment of justice and peace and happiness of those less 
fortunate, it is a great thing; but pursued, hoarded 
and begrudged, it becomes a curse. Your father built 
a business on broad principles of righteousness and 
generosity. You have changed it to a grasping, 
grinding monopoly. Here is where you might have 
helped. [Curtain unrolls and shows a small, poor 
room with a couch, a\ tiny oil stove; a woman in shabby 
clothes is stirring something in a saucepan. She shiv¬ 
ers and draws her shawl around her. There are one 
cup and saucer and a small teapot on the table.] 
Christmas Spirit. The widow of brave Raymond 
Black, your porter. She scrubs your office. [Cur¬ 
tain rolls over.] 

Mr. Hardcash. I could have helped them all. Is it too 
late? Why have you come? To taunt me? [Christ¬ 
mas Spirit turns away.] Perhaps to show me my sin 
and give me another chance. 

Christmas Spirit. Look again. [Curtain unrolls and 
shows a poor kitchen, a\ small table is being set by 
Mrs. O’Brien. Enter in a rush Teddy, the newsboy.] 
Teddy. See, mother, I ’ve a lot of money for you to¬ 
night [Empties pockets of change.] Mr. Foster gave 
me that quarter and Miss Douglas gave me that quar¬ 
ter and she was crying, an’ Mr. Bent he gave me 
fifty cents an’ Mrs. Black she gave me ten cents. 
Mrs. O’Brien. An’ what was that purty Miss Douglas 
cryiri’ for? 


16 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 

Teddy. Sure, I don’t know. They was all mad. Guess 
the old man got them all riled up. He’s a mean old 
thing, he wouldn’t give a fellow a quarter. Told me 
to “get out.” 

Mrs. O’Brien. There, there, now Teddy, don’t get 
mad. Come to your supper, like a fine lad. [Cur¬ 
tain.] 

Mr. Hardcash. Yes, I see. I know I could have helped 
that boy. He’s been coming to my office for a year 
and I have n’t even kpown his name or anything about 
him. Good Spirit, give me another chance. 

Christmas Spirit. That boy, as you say, has been in 
and out of your office for a year. His father is in 
the hospital now from overwork and exposure. He 
will come out weak and delicate to take up an unequal 
struggle with life. The hardship and exposure he 
has had to stand will soon break him down again and 
another family will be left to suffer. 

Mr. Hardcash [eagerly]. But can I not do something? 
Is there yet time? 

Christmas Spirit. There is yet time. Tomorrow is 
Christmas Eve. You can yet reach some of these. 
But what have we here? 

[Great noise of romping, laughing and talking behind 
curtain. Curtain rolls back and shows a cosy sitting 
or living room, Fred Holmes, his wife, two little 
children, Miss Allen, his wife’s sister. Holmes 
is playing horse with a child on his back. A maid 
enters with a letter. Holmes takes the letter.] 

Mrs. Holmes. Who’s it from, Ted? [She comes to 
look over his shoulder. Then, disgustedly.] Oh, your 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


17 


Uncle Walter! How disagreeable is he this time? 

Fred. Oh, just as usual, ‘ ‘ declines, ’ ’ of course. 4 4 Don’t 
ask me again’’—-‘Nothing to gain.” My, but he’s; 
the miserable, unhappy man. I’m sorry for him. 
Well, I ’ll ask him and ask him. Sometime he may 
come. 

Mrs. Holmes. Well, I’d be glad for your sake, Fred, 
since you want him, but I’m sure he can’t be very 
pleasant and as for anything to gain, much good his 
money ever did you, his only living relative. 

Fred. It’s good I don’t count on it, isn’t it, dear? 
[Laughing.] He has the worst of it—only money— 
and ive have home and love and faith and courage— 

Miss Allen. But,, Fred, don’t you think he ’ll leave, 
you some of his money? 

Fred. Sure not. He’d sooner leave it to a home for 
lost dogs. But little I care. I do not envy him—I 
pity him, alone and unloved. Well, well, come on, kid¬ 
dies—bed time. [Runs off with children.] [Curtain.] 

Christmas Spirit. These are your own—the family of 
your only sister, who loved you, and because she mar¬ 
ried the man she loved against your will, you cast her 
off. She died in poverty and her son is what he is. 
through no help of yours. 

Mr. Hardcash. I’ve been a fool—and blind. I am' 
alone, deserted by servants, by my employees, hated 1 
by those I might have helped. Kind Spirit, tell me 
—you would not be here if not to teach me better— 
tell me how to remedy these conditions! 

Christmas Spirit. Do you indeed wish to change the 
conditions of these whose lives you influence? 

Mr. Hardcash. I do, I do! 


18 THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 

Christmas Spirit. Midnight is passed and the new day 
will be Christmas Eve. If you can reach all these 
before the day passes, you may avert sorrow. 

Mr. Hardcash. I will, I will. Those poor old people, 
Black’s wife, the O’Briens and Efifie—Effie— 

Christmas Spirit slips out unseen. 

Mr. Hardcash. How shall I go to work— [finds him¬ 
self alone]. Gone—ah, now I must get to work. 
[Snatches at telephone, rattles it while waiting.] Hel¬ 
lo, give me Eastford 7015-21—yes, yes [pause]. That 
you, Barker? Hardcash speaking. Look here, 
Barker, I want you over here—yes—tonight. I don’t 
care what you said to me—get a taxi—yes, important, 
can’t wait for morning. Yes, yes, all night, probably. 
Hurry—’bye. [hangs up]. The smartest fellow in 

the city and I’m holding right on to him. I ’ll make 
it worth his while to stay, I’d better list what I want 
done. Let me see. [Sits at table and gets out paper 
and pen.] Foster’s superannuation—it ’ll have to be 
full salary, too—it’s been a mean salary. Fred into 
full partnership — Barker manager — bonuses all 
around—usual raise—half holiday tomorrow—check 
for Mary, plucky little kid, how she did pitch into 
me! [Laughs and rubs his hands]. Permanent pro¬ 
vision for Cameron and Mrs. Black, and that fine lit¬ 
tle newsboy, and, by golly, there’s Perkins! [ Touch es 
bell. Perkins comes in.] Oh, by the way, Perkins, 
I’ve a plan for the servants and I want you to see 
about it. [Perkins amazed and a little frightened at 
Mr. Hardcash’s genial manner.] Don’t get scared, 
old fellow—I suppose it does surprise you to see me 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


19 


grinning, but I feel like grinning, Perkins, and I’m 
going to keep on grinning. [Gets up and strides up 
and down. Slaps Perkins on the back every few 
minutes. Perkins, terrified, dodges and jumps.] I 
want you to order the biggest Christmas tree in town 
and trim it up and get toys and presents for every¬ 
body. Get Mrs. Perkins to help you and tell them 
all to bring their families and the girls to bring their 
beaus and the men to bring their girls and give them 
a bang-up party. Use the ball room. [Every time 
he comes near Perkins dodges and jumps.] It’ll 
take lots of money and I ’ll write you a check. [Writes 
check.] There, take that, and you can have more if 
you want it. By Jove, it ’ll be great. Give them the 
best supper. Tell cook it’s up to her. 

Perkins. But, sir, this is too much. It is far too much— 

Mr. Hardcash. Nothing of the sort. Make a list of 
all the help in the morning and I ’ll give you checks 
for them all. [Beil rings.] There’s Barker. Show 
him in and then clear out and go to bed. So they 
would all leave, would they? 

Perkins [staring, hand to head, dazed]. Now, how on 
earth did he know that? [Exit.] 

Mr. Hardcash [sits at desk. Enter Barker, hurried, 
anxious]. Come in, Barker, come in! 

Barker. What is it, sir? Are you ill? 

Mr. Hardcash. No, no. Barker, never was better. I 
don’t know just what’s happened. Some sort of a 
revelation or a miracle or something. I’m to have 
another chance. 

Barker [amazed]. Another chance? 

Mr. Hardcash. Yes, yes, to make good, you know, 


20 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


to all those poor people I could have helped— 

Barker [awe stricken]. He-e-lped? 

Mr. Hardcash. Yes. Sit down, Barker, we ’ve a lot 
to do. [Barker sits with paper and pen. Looks at 
Mr. Hardcash with doubt and amazement.] I want 
my nephew, Fred Holmes, made full partner in all 
my concerns. Can you have an arrangement of that 
sort made for tomorrow or Christmas Day? 

Barker. We could make out a document that would be 
legal until full arrangements were made. 

Mr. Hardcash. Do it. I want all my employees given 
a half-holiday tomorrow and—what was the usual 
Christmas bonus my father used to give? 

Barker. Two per cent of salary, I think. [Barker 
speaks in a half dazed way, more and more surprised.] 

Mr. Hardcash. Make it five per cent. I Ve a lot of 
back payments to make up. 

Barker. But it will take a most enormous amount of 
money. 

Mr. Hardcash [sharply]. But I Ve got an enormous 
amount of money! Superannuate Foster—he’s been 
hoping for it—full salary— 

Barker. Oh! 

Mr. Hardcash. Put young Bent in his place and let 
salary commence at the amount of Foster’s. You’ll stay, 
Barker, won’t you? [Anxiously.] I ’ll double your 
salary. You ’ll be general manager of all my concerns 
with Fred. He ’ll need you. I’m going to be busy— 

Barker. I should think so ! Sure I ’ll stay! 

Mr. Hardcash. I don’t know what to do for that little 
Douglas girl. My! She did pitch into me! [laughs 
and rubs his hands]. Well, we ’ll just give her a good 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


21 


check for a Christmas gift and wedding present. I ’ll 
need a new secretary—no, I won’t! Ha, Ha. Fred 
will! That little sister-in-law of his looked smart-^- 
I wonder— 

Barker. Don’t set your heart on her, sir, I think I ’ll 
need her myself. 

Mr. Hardcash. What, what? You and Fred’s sister- 
in-law? Why— [stands up and shakes hand, slaps 

Barker on shoulder] it will be quite a family affair. 
Fine, tine, Barker! Oh, and we ’ll arrange the salary 
raises, Barker, and do a little better with them. 
[Walks up and down thoughtfully.] Now, what to 
do about poor old Cameron, Barker, something must 
be done at once. They ’re going to the poor house to¬ 
morrow. We can’t allow that. I could bring them 
here— 

Barker. If you ’ll alloys me, sir, I’ve a plan. Foster 
and I have felt pretty badly for them— 

Mr. Hardcash. Yes, yes, I dare say. [Aside.] What 
a fool I’ve been!—What’s your plan ? 

Barker. There’s a little house with a garden and a 
small greenhouse down on East street. It would be 
a fine place and is for sale just as it stands. Its 
former owner, a gardener in a small way, died recently 
and his wife wants to get away to a married daughter. 

Mr. Hardcash. Buy it, buy it, Barker! But they ’re 
so helpless, they ’ll need help. 

Barker. We only hoped to rent it, sir, but this will 
be much better. We didn’t dare attempt it just yet 
until I got placed. We thought if Janet Black could 
live with them it would be a home for her. Of course, 
it was only a dream. 


22 THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 

Mr. Hardcash. Make it real! Buy the place! G«t 
Mrs. Black, you ’ll need help— 

Barker. Miss Douglas and her mother might help me. 

Mr. Hardcash. Yes, get them to help. Can you do it 
tomorrow ? I ’ll settle an income on them and when 
they ’re through with it, they can leave it to Mrs. 
Black. 

Barker. I’m sure we can arrange everything. 

Mr. Hardcash. Now, what can we do for that news¬ 
boy? 

Barker [admiringly]. Why, Mr. Hardcash, you think 
of everybody. 

Mr. Hardcash. Well, it ’s a poor place where they live— 

Barker [surprised]. Have you seen it? 

Mr. Hardcash. Yes— [confused] —er—no—well, in 
a sort of a way. 

Barker [aside]. He seems to know all about them just 
the same. 

Mr. Hardcash. Well, what about them? 

Barker. I think, sir, if Mrs. and Miss Douglas would 
go and see the mother— 

Mr. Hardcash [eagerly]. Yes, yes, that’s it, send Effie. 

Barker. Her name ’s Mary. 

Mr. Hardcash. Yes, I know, I forgot. I was thinking 
of someone else. I will stand for the money. I never 
had any fun out of my money. I never knew what 
fun it would be to spend it. 

Barker. There are lots of ways to spend it, sir, if one 
has the heart to do it. 

Mr. Hardcash. Well, I never had, but I have now. 
I ’ll be down early tomorrow, Barker, and I ’ll aston¬ 
ish those solicitors who come for the Salvation Army 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


23 


and the Day Nursery and the widows and orphans. 
They always come and I always turn them down. 
1T1 astonish them, ha, ha! [Laughs and rubs hands.] 

Barker. Well, Mr. Hardcash, you ’ve given me a big 
job, but it’s a job I love, and with your permission 
I ’ll get right at it. [Rises and holds out hand.] Good 
night, sir, and—and—and God bless you. You ’ll 
make a lot of people happy. Thank you for my part. 

Mr. Hardcash [shaking hands, patting Barker on 
shoulder]. All right, all right, Barker. Thank you 
for joining in so heartily and you must have thought 
me crazy. Try to get some sleep. You’ve a great 
day ahead of you. Good night and Merry Christmas. 
[Barker exit.] Fine chap. Barker, glad he ’ll stay 
and, by Jove, I forgot Fred’s little sister-in-law. Well, 
well, I must talk everything over with Effie. [Walks 
up and down. Christmas Spirit enters unseen. Mr. 
Hardcash turns in his walk and sees Christmas 
Spirit.] Why, there you are again! Come in! 
[Christmas Spirit shakes head smilingly.] No? 
Well, I’m glad you came. I’d like to keep you 
always— 

Christmas Spirit. You may do so if you carry a kind 
heart all through the year. There’s one who could 
help— 

Mr. Hardcash [eagerly]. You mean Effie? 

[Christmas Spirit nods and steps backward out of 
room.] 

Mr. Hardcash. Yes, she will help, I know. I ’ve lost 
much time, but I can still do much, thanks to the 
Christmas Spirit. 


curtain 


ACT III 


Scene: Library or any room in Mr. Hardcash’s 
house—a gathering place for all the characters. 
Mr. Hardcash standing to receive guests —Perkins 
opens door and announces, 1 ‘Mrs. Douglas/’ who 
enters, smiling and with both hands out to Mr. 
Hardcash,, who advances to meet her and takes 
her hands. > 

Mrs. Douglas. Well, Walter— 

Mr. Hardcash. Well, Effie— 

Mrs. Douglas. How many years is it? 

Mr. Hardcash. A good many. Don’t let ns count 
them. 

Mrs. Douglas. I ’ll have to apologize, Walter. I’ve 
thought you a terrible man. I’d no idea you could 
be so generous. I expect you’ve been doing things 
for people all your life, but we never happened across 
it before. 

Mr. Hardcash. I’m a bit tempted to let you think 
so, Effie, but the truth is I have been just as mean 
and hard and selfish as I could be always until a 
couple of days ago. 

Mrs. Douglas. And what happened then? [They sit 
down near center.] 

Mr. Hardcash. I had a shock and a sort of vision. 

Mrs. Douglas. A vision! 

Mr. Hardcash. Seems queer, doesn’t it: I can’t just 
explain it. The Christmas Spirit got hold of me and 
showed me all my meanness and how I could have 
24 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


25 


been surrounded with love and loyalty instead of 
with hatred and fear—and I saw you— 

Mrs. Douglas. You saw me! But how? I’ve kept 
out of your way—I never let Mary know I’d ever 
seen you. 

Mr. Hardcash. The Christmas Spirit showed me many 
things. I suppose Mary and Barker had given me a 
sort of spiritual shock, anyway. You heard? 

Mrs. Douglas. Yes, Mary told me. I scolded her— 

Mr. Hardcash. She was right and so was Barker, but 
I truly think I am a changed man, E'ffie, and you and 
Mary have done wonderful things, Barker tells me, to 
carry out my Christmas plans. 

Mrs. Douglas [enthusiastically ]. And what a joy it’s 
been, Walter! The gratitude of those old people and 
Janet Black and Mrs. O’Brien—you know there’s a. 
Mr. O’Brien, Walter. 

Mr. Hardcash. Is there? 

Mrs. Douglas. Yes, in the hospital, poor chap, getting 
over a long bout with pneumonia. The doctors pre¬ 
scribe rest and country life, but of course these are 
impossibilities. 

Mr. Hardcash. Nothing is impossible, Effie. I ’ll send 
him and his family to Kingslea. 

Mrs. Douglas. Where your mills are ? 

Mr. Hardcash. Yes, I ’ve a fine place there. They can 
have a cottage and he can potter around and help 
the gardener and we’ll pay him a fair wage— 

Mrs. Douglas. We? 

Mr. Hardcash. Forgive me, Effie—my dreams seem 
more real than facts just now. I had hoped—I wish 
—I—don’t think me a fool, but there is much to be 


26 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 

done and I wondered if you and I couldn’t just get 
quietly married and leave Fred and Barker to run 
things here and we go off to live at Kingslea. The 
mills and cottages and everything about the place 
are in bad shape from neglect— 

Mrs. Douglas. But, Walter— 

Mr. Hardcash. Yes, I know, dear, I’m making a bad 
mess of it. I always do— 

Mrs. Douglas [indignantly]. You’re not! 

Mr. Hardcash. But do you think you could? I never 
loved any other girl and you did like me. You mar¬ 
ried a better man, but I need you now. Think of all 
the money— 

Mrs. Douglas. I won’t!! 

Mr. Hardcash [taking her hands and laughing]. I 
don’t mean the amount of it. I mean the fact that it 
has to get loosened up and got to working. For the 
sake of my millers and miners and all— 

Mrs. Douglas. For your sake entirely , Walter—Yes. 

Perkins [announces] . Mr. Foster! 

Mr. Hardcash [springing up and advancing to meet 
Foster]. Well, hello, Foster. Glad to see you. You 
know Mrs. Douglas? Oh, I expect you all know each 
other far better than I know you. 

Foster. Mr. Hardcash, you took me all by surprise, 
sir. I’m more than grateful. I’ve long wanted a 
home in some out-of-the-city, quiet place, and your 
generosity— 

Mr. Hardcash. Nonsense, old friend! Don’t let any¬ 
one ever talk of my generosity. And as for a country 
home, why not follow me and go to Kingslea? 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


27 


Foster. Kingslea! Are you thinking of going there, 
sir? 

Mr. Hardcash. I am, indeed. There’s work enough 
there, changing existing conditions. 

Foster. It ’s a beautiful place, sir, if conditions were 
bettered. 

Mr. Hardcash. They will be, they will be and you shall 
advise. 

Foster. Indeed, I shall be very glad. 

Perkins [announces ]. Miss Douglas, Mr. Bent. 

[Mr. Hardcash, Foster and Mrs. Douglas all ad¬ 
vance to meet them, 'shaking hands. FrxInk Bent 
starts to say something about “gratitude ”—] 

Mr. Hardcash [checks him]. There, there, my boy, it ’s 
all right. Glad you ’re pleased. Someone else pleased 
too, eh? [Looking at Mary.] 

Mary [shyly]. Yes, dear Mr. Hardcash, and I want to 
show you my Christmas gift from Frank. You ’re 
the first one IVe shown it to, after mother. [Shows 
ring. All admire it.] 

Mr. Hardcash. And I Tl have to get another private: 
secretary ? 

Mary. Yes, please, sir. 

Mr. Hardcash. Well, I Ve made my arrangements. 
I’m going to have a wife, instead. 

All. A wife ! ! 

Mr. Hardcash. Yes, the only girl I ever loved. Come 
Effie! [drawf Mrs, Douglas forward.] 

Mary and Frank. Why, mother! 

Foster. Mrs. Douglas! 

Mrs. Douglas. Yes, dears, and Mr. Foster, Mr. Hard- 


28 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


cash has asked me to marry him and I Ve gladly and 
proudly said yes. 

Perkins [announces]. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, Miss Al¬ 
len, Miss Muriel, Master Walter, Mr. Barker. 

[Enter all. Children carry doll and engine, which 
they show to party. All shake hands, exclaiming, 
“Merry Christmas,” “How are you?” etc., etc. 
Mary and Mrs. Douglas sit and talk excitedly in 
whispers. Bent and Foster draw back a little to 
talk business. The family group, with Mr, Hard- 
cash and Fred, occupy the center .] 

Fred. Well, Uncle Walter, you ’ll have to put me wise 
to a lot of the inside workings— 

Mr. Hardcash. Not at all. Not going near you. Up 
to Barker. Eh, Barker? 

Barker [laughs]. Whatever you say, sir. 

Mr. Hardcash. Yes, I intend to work hard after this, 
drawing my income and spending it. Mrs. Hardcash 
and I— 

All. Mrs. Hardcash ! ! 

Mr. Hardcash. Yes. Effie, come here. Fred, let me 
introduce your new aunt. 

Mrs. Douglas. Now, Walter, you ’re rather premature, 
aren’t you? 

Fred. Well! But this is great news. I shall take a 
nephew’s privilege, Aunt Effie! [kisses her]. 

. Mrs. Douglas. That’s very dear of you, Fred. 

Fred [introducing]. My wife, Mrs. Douglas, dear—her 
sister, Miss Allen—my two kiddies, Muriel and Wal¬ 
ter. • Shake hands, babies. Mr. Barker, no relation 
as yet! 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


29 


Barker [shaking hands]. But soon hopes to be. 

Mr. Hardcash. Well, well, good for yon, Barker. Well, 
girls, you ’ll have to run the firm of Hardcash & Co. 
These two boys will bear watching. It’s all in the 
family now. 

[Bent and Barker shake hands, girls compare rings.] 

Perkins [announces]. Mr . m and Mrs. Cameron, Mrs. 
Black. 

[Enter old couple, bent and lame, wife pale and deli¬ 
cate. Mrs. Black, youngtrim and neat.] 

Mr. Hardcash [^shakes hands. All shake hands. Get 
chairs, footstools. Mrs. Black removes old lady’s 
shawl, etc.] Merry Christmas, Cameron and Mrs. 
Cameron; Merry Christmas, Mrs. Black. 

Cameron. Oh, sir, we want to tell you—oh, sir— 

Mrs. Cameron [begins to cry]. We never had a hope, 
sir, as we could grow old together. 

Mr. Hardcash [embarrassed]. There, there, it’s all 
right. You ’ll be looked after. 

Mr. Cameron. You tell ’em, Janet. I can’t. 

Mrs. Black. They are so grateful, sir. The little house 
is so comfortable and cosy, and Mrs. Douglas, ma’am, 
the wonder of you, getting everything fixed up so 
quick— 

Mr. Hardcash [slipping hand through Mrs. Douglas’s 
arm]. She’s a wonder! 

Mrs. Douglas. It was such a joy—the dear old things 
are so happy! 

Mrs. Black. And they want me to say, sir, that they 
won’t need money, sir—with the little greenhouse he 
can potter around and make a bit of money and 

i 


30 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


there ’s a good garden and there’s a little spare room, 
we could take a lodger and I could still go to work 
and take care of them, too— 

Mr. Hardcash. Not at all, Janet. If Ray had died in 
France you’d have had a pension and you ’.re going 
to have it now. I believe Cameron will enjoy the 
greenhouse and garden, and make a little money, but 
you must not go to work. They need you and the 
house is yours when they are through with it. 

Mrs. Black. Oh, sir! [ face in hands. ] 

Perkins [announces]. Mrs. O’Brien, Master Teddy. 

[Enter Mrs. O’Brien and Teddy. All greet Mrs. 
O’Brien and Teddy. Children carry Teddy off to 
look at doll and engine.] 

Mrs. 0 ’Brien. Sure, it’s the great Christmas we’ve 
had sir! With all the foine things ye sent us, an’ 
Mrs. Douglas, too, and we took the check up to show 
Mike in the hospital—my! but he’s the proud man! ! 

Mrs. Douglas. And how is he, Mrs. O’Brien? 

Mrs. O’Brien. Sure, he’s comm’ great, ma’am. We 
may get him home come February, but sure, it’s a 
poor place— 

Mr. Hardcash. But ye Ve got a better one for him. 

Mrs. O’Brien [looks from one smiling face to another 
as all look at her]. Oh, sir-—oh, ma’am— [to Mrs. 
Douglas] Phwat is it? 

Mrs. Douglas [looks at Mr. Hardcash, who nods]. Mrs. 
O’Brien, Mr. Hardcash is going to live at his beauti¬ 
ful place at Kingslea and there’s a pretty cottage 
there for, a gardener and you and Mike and Teddy 
are to have it and Mike can do some easy work when 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 31 

he *s quite strong again, and there’s a good school for 
Teddy— 

Teddy [who has been listening intently]. An’ cows an’ 
pigs an’ a garden! 

Mrs. Douglas. All of those, Teddy, and chickens and 
ducks and horses— 

Teddy Gee-e- ! ! 

Mrs. O’Brien [crying]. Sure, sir, and ma’am, forgive 
me, but it’s for joy I’m cryin’. Me poor Mike, he ’ll 
get well and sthrong. Oh, sir! and they to say you 
was a hard man! [all look at Mr. Hardcash]. 

Mr. Hardcash. They said truth, Mrs. O’Brien. I was 
a hard man. [Enter Perkins.] Well, Perkins, a let¬ 
ter? Thank you. I hope, Mrs. O’Brien, that I’m a 
changed man. I make no boasts, I’m only a beginner, 
but I hope I’m no longer a hard man. [Opens let¬ 
ter.] Why, what’s this, Perkins? 

Perkins [bowing and smiling]. They wanted I should 
write it, sir, and they all signed their names. 

-Mrs. Douglas. What is it? 

Mr. Hardcash [much moved]. A letter from all the 
staff and signed. 

Mrs. Douglas [reading]. “Thanks for a happy Christ¬ 
mas, happiest in years—best wishes”—and all their 
names. How dear! [Party groups into tableau, Mr. 
Hardcash and Mrs. Douglas reading letter together 
—Barker and Miss Allen—Bent and Mary — the 
three children on floor with toys —Foster and Perkins 
—Mrs. O’Brien and Mrs. Black and the old people.] 

Christmas Spirit [enters unseen; passes among group, 
touching each one with wand, stands center front, 
addresses audience]. Into the hard heart of one man 


32 


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 


the Spirit of Christmas found entrance and what a 
fund of happiness that one man was able to supply 
to many! Let the Christmas Spirit into your heart, 
let it teach you the joy of sharing your happiness, 
your wealth, your advantages, and let it not leave 
you with the day it celebrates, but keep it with you 
the whole year through. For, as the Star of Bethle¬ 
hem beckoned the shepherds from the plains, so even 
to-day the Christmas Spirit points the way to the 
hearts of men; spreading afar the tidings of Good- 
fellowship, Happiness and Loyal Friendship. 


CURTAIN 


BOOKS AND HELPS FOE TEACHERS 

A specially selected list of books and helps which have 
become popular because of their practical valuer There 
are few teachers indeed who have not been helped by 
one or more of these publications. We unhesitatingly 
recommend every one of the titles offered. 

DRAWING 

Easy Things to Draw—Augsburg.... ...... 1...... .$0.45 

SEAT WORK 

Primary Seat Work, Sens© Training and Games—Smith. . /:»„$0.SS 
Primary Sewing and Color Cards—Cleaveland; No. I, Animal 
Series; No. 2, Fairy-Tale Series; No. 3, Children-of-the- 


World Series. Each set....... .25 

Straight-Line Sewing Cards—Cleaveland..................... .25 

PENMANSHIP . . 

Muscular Movement Writing Slips... .10.15 

ARITHMETIC 

Moody Number Gaines—Moody. Series 1.....$0.85 

Moody Number Games—'Moody. Series 2.............. ts-.v s .841 

Number Games for Primary Grades—Harris-Waldo.......... ,85 

Number Stories—Deming .... .85 


LANGUAGE, GRAMMAR AND COMPOSITION 

Games and Rhymes for Language Teaching in the First Four 

Grades — Deming ... . .. ,$0.85 

Language and Composition by Grades—Hammond....-... 1.00 

Language Games for All Grades—Deming—Book only.... ,80 

With Cards -• 1*2® 

One Hundred Stories for Reproduction—Grove...30 

Primary Language Stories—Deming.. ............... .50 

MUSIC 


Best Primary Songs—Kellogg.. 

Merry Melodies—Hanson 

New Common-School Song Book—Smith-Schuckai 

Silvery Notes—Hanson. --- 

Songs We Like Best.... 

Weaver’s New School Songs—Weaver, ~ 


$0.20 

. ,20 
. .70 

,20 
, .15 

i ' JO 


OPENING AND GENERAL EXERCISES 


Best Memory Gems—Slndelar.... 

Morning Exercises for All the Year—Slndelar. , 


CLASS RECORDS 

Simplex Class Record—Cloth. 

Paper.. 

Simplex Seat Plan (with Cards)......... 



. . .$0.30 
, ... 1.00 


.$0.50 

,35 

.60 


Illustrated Catalog of Books mailed free upon request. 


BECKLEY-CARDY COMPANY, Publishers, CHICAGO 






























library of congress 


0 010 459 637 

~ CHOICE ENTERTAINMENTS 


Prepared especially for school use, and particularly for 
Friday afternoons and special day exercises. 

DIALOGUES AND CHILDREN’S PLAYS 

Dialogues and Plays for Entertainment Days—Painton 

District-School Dialogues—Irish ... 

The Golden Goose—Guptill..... 

Humorous Dialogues for Children—Irish... 

Specialty Entertainments for Little Folks—-Painton.... 

Twelve Plays for Children—Guptill. 

RECITATIONS 

Beat Primary Recitations—Hoag...$0.30 


$0.40 

.40 

.15 

.40 

.40 

.40 


DRILLS AND ACTION SONGS 

Humorous Drills and Acting Songs—Irish. ...$0.40 

MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENTS 

Rummage—Race . 

Uncle Sam, P. M.—Race 

SPECIAL DAY ENTERTAINMENTS 

The Best Christmas Book—Sindelar..$0.40 

The Best Thanksgiving Book—Sindelar.. .40 

Christmas at Stebbinses’—Irish...25 

Closing Day Entertainments—Sindelar.....40 

Merry Christmas Entertainments—Sindelar.40 

Polly in History-Land, or Glimpses of Washington—Painton.. .25 
Susan Gregg's Christmas Orphans—Irish...25 

PLAYS 

The Great Turkey-Stealing Case of Watermelon County—Gra¬ 


ham.....$0.25 

The Last Half-Day in the District School—Fraser-Higgins.35 

The Prise Essay, or “Boy Wanted”—Painton...35 

The Value of X— Painton........ • - 3£ 


Illustrated Catalog of Books mailed free upon request. 


$0.25 

.25 


BECKLEYCARDY COMPANY, Publishers, CHICAGO 































































